TOLLING SYSTEM

- Toll Collection

From the end of the eighties, when the idea of ​​identifying the vehicle as a means of toll collection was first commercially realized, later known as electronic toll collection, to this day, the requirements of toll collection systems are significantly changed.

First of all, car traffic on roads, bridges, tunnels, and particularly in the cities has significantly increased compared to a period of thirty years ago. Increased number of vehicles has been enormous throughout Europe and the Western world, but particularly in the most populated parts of the world such as India, China, Brazil and all of Africa.

In addition to the number of vehicles, the variety of vehicles that may occur in the collection system has expanded significantly. Both in their external dimensions and shapes, and in the way how they use the highway. Thus, in India on the highway tractor or three-wheeler crowded with passengers may appear. On the other hand, in Europe, it is expected high throughput of vehicles, fast circulation of information, flexibility in pricing policy and high integration of the system both internally between its components as well as to external systems such as for example accounting system, ERP or central transport system. For vehicles using the highway and billing system it is no longer sufficient to determine only input and output location and class of vehicles. Already significantly have expanded the options of using different types of media such as smart cards, electronic RFID or DSRC TAG's different suppliers, different types of media using magnetic or barcode format. There are also various types of system users - standard users who pay the toll in cash, seasonal users, frequent motorway users and frequent local transporters who expect certain discounts. The goal of the concessionaire, the state and local governments is to increase the number of users of the highway by adjusting prices and reduce evasion of tolls by drivers driving around the roads. Therefore, along with good quality and efficient process of automatic detection, identification and classification of vehicles and toll, it is extremely important to have a quality network of sales locations and an elaborate system of planning and adjustment of price.

Because of these changes, the demands and expectations of road concessionaires who use toll collection system to collect their service have increased, but also the expectations of the drivers have increased.

- What we expect from a modern system for toll collection

Toll collection systems today are not expected to be just a mere vehicle identification, print receipts on the toll route after payment and release of vehicles through the toll lane, but they already include a wide range of functions. First of all, the customers look for the system configuration options, support options for various payment methods and support a large number of various devices for detection, identification and automatic classification of vehicles. In addition, high system flexibility in upgrading the hardware and software components and technologies that are constantly occurring in the market is expected. For example, capturing multiple photos or videos, toll lane management via mobile device or tablet, high configurability and flexibility in defining the pricing policy, timely notification of staff and drivers of the conditions of user accounts, on the condition of the road and even the involvement of marketing in the billing system become functions that make up just a part of the standard functionality.

At the same time, high and stable throughput of vehicles at toll lanes, speed of processing toll transactions, transaction security when sending the system and toll stations and prompt user account refreshing are system features which are implied.

- Tollway - a complete solution for the toll system

Telegra’s Tollway billing system is the result of many years of experience in managing the traffic on the highways, and intensive communication with the operating and management personnel of various concessionaires worldwide and practical understanding of their requirements and as a combination of high-tech hardware and software into an integrated whole and thus shows as one of the optimal solution to meet most customers' requirements. In addition, the system is built on a modular basis and prepared for further expansion and construction of new components in order to provide support for the rapid and efficient development of new functions in accordance with user requirements for more frequent changes.

In particular, it should be noted that the Tollway system provides high configurability of all components in striving for concessionaire independence, so that the vast majority of functions can be implemented by simply adjusting the system configuration. In this sense it can be said that the Tollway is not only a toll system, but also a tool that allows users multiple settings ranging from performance tuning fine tuning system parameters to, for example, defining the supported device types, methods of payment, planning a wide range of price options or even defining classes and categories of vehicles for toll collection by authorized personnel at concessionaire. This ensures user’s independence in using the system and reduced customer attachment to the Telegra development team, which was observed as a common practice that system vendors use to tie concessionaires with their product and disable access to competing suppliers and thus ensure their monopolistic status at the customer.

- Modern concept - high efficiency and reliability

Tollway system is based on a hierarchical architecture. Basically, Tollway supports three hierarchical levels: toll lane level, toll plaza level and central level. If you use integration with a central clearing house (CCH), which was built in some countries in order to support interoperability among the various concessionaires, the CCH can be considered the fourth level.

Toll lane level

The Tollway system works either as an open or as a closed toll system. The characteristic of open systems is that the price for the passage of vehicles is charged based on class or category of vehicles, regardless of the location where the vehicle entered the highway. On the other hand, in closed systems, vehicle is identified at the entrance to the highway by taking specific temporary media by the driver or by detecting other types of media such as smart cards or electronic TAG placed on the vehicle. Price on exit is calculated based on two parameters: the location of the entrance station and the class or classes of vehicles.

In a closed system, the vehicle can enter the highway only on specific locations, the entrance lanes. The driver must have the required media during highway driving. Driving without the required media is considered an infringement. In an open system, vehicles can enter the highway at many locations between toll stations. Only the passage of vehicles through the toll lane will be charged.

The Tollway system users themselves with, the help of Telegra’s consultants, define the configuration and operation of your system. Toll stations and paths are defined at the central level. Certain subsequent correction relating to the operation of toll routes can be carried out at the toll plaza level.

Entry lane

Entry lane subsystem is used for the detection and identification of vehicles at the entrance to the highway. When passing through the entry lane, vehicles with a medium, smart card or electronic TAG (RFID or DSRC) will be detected based on the media. Vehicles without the media will take temporary medium to be used at the exit lane to verify the location of the entry station, and the price is determined based on this information.

Tollway system supports smart card, RFID and DSRC TAG as a permanent media. Magnetic cards or cards with barcode can be used for temporary media that the user takes at the entrance to the highway.

In addition to detection and distribution of media, entry lane uses other methods of vehicle detection at the entrance, such as inductive loop, light curtain with the optional automatic vehicle classifier, vehicle height detector and one or more cameras, recording the license plates numbers with integrated license plate number character recognition or camera for a lateral view of the vehicle. After the detection and identification of vehicles in the entry toll lane system, entry transaction is created and stored in a local database on the toll lane computer. After saving, the transaction is sent to the toll plaza system, which forwards it to the headquarters of the concessionaire. The data on entry media are then distributed to all other toll plazas and toll lanes, so that exit lanes could properly check the status of media (white list).

Entry lane usually work as an automatic lane. The device is managed by the application of the entry lane, installed on the entry lane computer. Application management, its initiation, opening and closing of the entry lanes or incident resolving is enabled on the entry lane local computer or remote from the toll plaza system by authorized personnel. Also, graphical interface of the entry lane informs the user about the status of individual devices and provides information about possible alarms. The same information is sent to the toll plaza system and is available to authorized users on the station via a separate module intended for the monitoring of toll lanes in real time.

Entry lane application allows the options for maintenance staff to implement various tests and check connected devices and set the parameters of entry lanes such as magnetic cards initial numbers setting or the configuration of connected devices.

Configuration of entry lanes may be in the toll plaza system set so that in the event of a critical alarm on any of the device applications autonomously log out the user and close the lane and does not allow lane opening until said alarm is resolved and removed from the system.

Entry lane application constantly communicates with the toll plaza. All detected vehicles and all related transactions created on the entry lane are sent to the toll plaza system and through it to the central system. Incident transactions are resolved in the central system. Transactions are optionally sent to all other plazas which could be used as a way of dealing with suspicious transactions to the exit lanes. For example, if the number of license plate is not properly read at the entrance of the vehicle and written in the media, cashier’s visual verification of the license plate photo that was created at the entrance of the vehicle will verify that the transaction can be marked as a regular passage of vehicles or attempted fraud by drivers. Electronic communication and exchange of information between entry lanes and the toll plaza and center also takes place permanently in the other direction: from the center and toll plaza to the entry lane. This way, each configuration change implemented at central level is distributed to all toll plazas and entry toll lanes in real-time and is applied at the entry toll lane in the shortest possible time.

Tollway system enables configuration of the print on the media by the staff of the concessionaire. Printing can be configured in various ways so that the input media can dynamically add various commemorative messages and notifications to users. A similar configuration notification can be carried out over the messages that are displayed on the display for the user (User Fare Display - UFD). Configuring the print media and configuring UFD messages can be carried out at central level or at the toll plaza level.

Exit Lanes

Exit lanes, depending on the needs of the user, can be configured as an open toll lane system or closed toll lane system. Depending on the particular configuration, toll lane applications will choose the appropriate price for the passage of vehicles in accordance with the definition of price determined in the headquarters of the concessionaire.

Exit lanes application is installed on the exit lane computer and enables operation in manual or automatic mode (combined exit lane). In manual mode, it is expected that the cashier on the exit lane, managing the process of tolling, is logged in the application. After logging in with a password (internal users smart cards can be used optionally) the cashier starts the billing process by selecting vehicle classes.

If it is an open toll system, after vehicle class selection, the cashier choses method of payment. For example, cash, other currencies, bank cards, smart cards, electronic tags, a free user, a local carrier and others. Once the payment method is selected and confirmed by the cashier, exit ramp is opened and the vehicle can leave the exit toll lane.

If it is a closed system, after vehicle class selection by the cashier, data of vehicle’s entry location should be entered. Reading media, magnetic or bar code format, is used to determine the location of the entrance. There is an option for manual entry of the input station by the cashier for the case when the medium is unreadable. The cashier also may at any time run one of the checks in which the exit lane application connects to the plaza system and requests additional information from the plaza system. For example, check the license plate number by seeing an image captured at the vehicle entrance.

When selecting payment methods, the cashier can choose one of the payment methods that are defined in the headquarters of the concessionaire. The system supports various types of discounts for frequent users, as well as periodic price during the day, week or seasonal prices. If the driver uses the medium, smart card or TAG, the system allows the definition of various types of contracts, such as users rates, seasonal users, time-based contracts, monthly passage of vehicles with limited or unlimited number of passages, seasonal defined media, electronic wallet and others, which can optimize the use of highways and reduce the number of drivers who try to avoid the highway by use of alternative routes to avoid paying tolls.

Exit toll lane application controls all devices connected to the lane: one or more inductive loop detectors, DSRC or RFID antenna, input or output curtains with automatic vehicle classification, user display, exit ramp, traffic lights, a magnetic card reader or barcode records and other devices may vary depending on the type of station. Vehicle recording cameras can be configured to record video, or take one or more photos of vehicles. Start and stop of video clips recording are also parameters that concessionaire’s staff can configure and thus optimize the size of the saved video.

At the exit from the toll lane, vehicle passes through the automatic vehicle classifier (AVC). If the class of vehicle determined by the AVC device differs from the one selected by the cashier, the system automatically recognizes a difference and creates an additional, so-called incident transaction. This transaction, together with the toll transaction is sent to the Incident Management Module (IM) in the center. The incident transaction should be resolved in the Incident module. If the cashier incorrectly determined the class of the vehicle and charged the incorrect price, he can be charged for the difference in the amount or some other amount also defined when configuring the incident module.

In addition to differences in the vehicle classes, there are other parameters which define whether a transaction is an incident or not. To allow flexible incident definition Tollway system uses rules to create incidents (Incident Rule Definition) that authorized personnel of the concessionaire can define at the central level and thus affect the security of the system and its almost one hundred percent protection from theft by staff at the toll lane.

If there was a problem communicating with some of the equipment at the toll lane, the system generates an alarm and notifies the cashier alarm. The exit toll lane system can be configured in a way that does not allow operation if any of the devices on the lane are not active and functional. In this case the system will automatically close the toll lane and check out the cashier in case of any problem in the operation of the devices. This is another option to ensure operation of the system from inappropriate use by the cashier or other users and systems.

In addition to toll collection, the exit toll lane system also allows charge to user account. After selection of the function of payment media, the cashier should choose the type of media, smart card or TAG and load media or manually enter the number of the media. After that, the process of charge depends on the type of contract. Media can be supplemented by adding a certain amount, the number of passages or extension of validity of the media.

If a user from maintenance personnel logs in the exit toll lane system application, the application will recognize and will operate the lane in maintenance mode. This mode is used by maintenance personnel for any verification of the device or some of the functionality of the system. Users in maintenance mode can operate the toll transactions, but the maintenance transactions are not included in toll income in various reports as well as in the calculation of income and concluding cashier shifts and days. Also, the maintenance personnel has access to the list of alarms generated on the track and the current state of computing resources on the toll lane computer: CPU usage, memory and disk space on all disk partitions.

Tollway system allows various methods of payment. The toll transaction process flow and activities of the cashier on the lane depend on the selected payment method. The amount charged to the end user depends on the price list which is defined centrally for each type of contract. For each payment method, one or more types of contracts can be selected, each of which has a specified price for specific vehicle classes. Since the types of contracts can be created by authorized personnel, the concessionaire has enabled almost unlimited freedom in pricing.

Transactions created on the exit lanes are sent to the toll plaza system, where the data is stored in the plaza database immediately after they are created. Likewise, they are sent to toll center where they are also stored in the central database and further processed. In case of transactions related to the media and user accounts, the new account balance and information about the new state are processed in the headquarters and sent back to the toll plazas or lanes.

Optionally, the operator can create a black list of users whose account balance turned to a negative value and are no longer allowed to pass through the toll lane. By supplementing the account associated with the media and transaction processing and the transition of the balance to positive, the user is removed from the black list.

Toll plaza level

The toll plaza level has multiple roles in the toll collection system. Plaza system serves as an intermediary in the communication between the entry and exit lanes. In addition, the main functions of the system are support to the staff employed at the station while performing regular activities especially in the manipulation of funds taken from the end-user during operation and the correct recording of the said funds. The hardware configuration consists of toll servers and user workstation who use the application at the station.

Toll server usually consists of several virtual servers, each of which has its own specific function. The process server is used for processing of toll billing transactions and other data. The database server serves as a permanent repository toll. The communications server manages all messages at the toll plaza. Optional antivirus server is used for commercial system for virus protection. Toll plaza system architecture can be set up in a different way on request from the concessionaire.

Communication server

The basis of the communications server at the toll plaza is a commercial message handling system. Tollway uses IBM Websphere MQ system, which proved to be an extremely powerful and reliable message handling system. Because of its reliability and speed, this system is used for the exchange and distribution of messages in many banking applications that require efficient and reliable flow of financial information between different hardware locations. Messages from all toll lanes are collected in the communication server and processed by the process server. Also, the communication server retrieves messages from process servers and distributes them to the toll lanes. The communication server takes all messages downloaded from the central system and prepares them for handling by the process server. Messages received from the central system are related to tariff, exchange rates, user privileges, media black list, state of accounts and optionally transactions from entry lanes if the system is configurated in that manner.

Database server

Database server primarily serves as a central permanent repository at the toll plaza. Tollway system uses Oracle database system. Since Oracle can be used as an efficient database and can also be used for process purposes, some of the procedures for data processing have been developed in the Oracle server. For example, procedures for archiving and backup of the database, the procedure for creating aggregate data in a data warehouse, and other procedures that require fast and efficient processing of data in the local database.

Process server

Toll plaza process server downloads messages from the communication server and transfers them to the transaction and starts the processing of transactions, primarily storing the toll transactions in a database and further processes transactions by setting new states of user accounts. In addition, the process server runs other automated or periodic functionality in the toll plazas, such as data distribution to the central office, automatic control of the user shifts and changes in distribution tariffs and other data to the toll lanes. The process server also takes care of periodic procedures such as archiving data from the database.

- Toll Plaza Application

In addition to the process server, a plaza application used by the users at the toll plaza to perform daily tasks and manage data at the plaza also takes place. The plaza application based on Web technology. The main application is on the appropriate application server that is installed on the process server. Users access the application from the toll plaza workstation via a specific Web browser. Key features of the toll plaza application are:

Management of toll plaza system parameters. For example, configuration of payment methods, UFD message on the lanes, making templates for receipts printed on toll lanes as well as other receipts in the system and the receipts printed at the point of sale.

Configuring the toll lanes. Overall, toll lanes are configured at the central level but some parameters, especially those related to the devices on the lanes can be defined at the plaza level. Also, the operation of individual toll lanes is selected from the toll plaza application.

Management of declared assets. While working on the lane, it is possible that the cashier gathered a lot of resources and wants the money deposited in the toll plaza. This can be done on the toll lane, by calling authorized staff from the plaza and the declaration of assets. The provisional declaration can also be done in the toll plaza. The cashier at the end of a shift declares all remaining funds raised at the toll plaza. After returning from the toll lane, the cashier logs into the plaza application and enters the collected amount of funds by denomination. After the cashier confirms the declaration, his shift is considered completed. To successfully complete the shift, all incidents related to the cashier’s shift need to be resolved.

Issuance of predefined cards. If necessary, the user can prepare a set of predefined cards at the plaza for each entry lane. These cards are then issued to vehicles on the entrance lane.

User management. Some user parameters, such as a user privileges in specific modules can be configured by an authorized person at the toll plaza.

Funds management station. After all assets are declared by the cashier, authorized user once again verifies the funds and transfers funds in the plaza treasury, after which the fundsare sent to the bank.

Shifts consolidation. After all incidents related to the shift are resolved, funds are declared and the declaration is confirmed by the authorized user, the shift is ready for consolidation. Shift consolidation functionality is a part of the toll plaza application. After the shift is consolidated, the end of shift report (EOS) is available to the cashier. The EOS includes complete information about all specific events during the shift: all declared assets, expected funding, all logs in the system as well as all incidents during the shift. The report also shows the traffic during shift per vehicle classes in the number of vehicles and the collected and the expected amounts.

Daily consolidation. After all cashier’s shifts are consolidated, authorized users can implement the daily toll plaza consolidation. After the consolidation is conducted, the data can no longer be changed.

Data aggregation. Data aggregation is performed when daily consolidation is initiated. The data is stored in aggregate tables that are available for analysis by the rules of a data warehouse. Aggregation allows quick execution of various types of reports with minimal impact on database performance.

Reports. The tolling system allows the user to run a series of reports, used by the toll plaza personnel for reporting on the daily work. Tollway system makes it easy to run all reports required for work. In addition, the authorized user can create new, personal report and its setting in the application menu at the toll station. By that, the report becomes available to other users through a web application at the plaza.

Point of sales application

Usually, at each toll plaza is an office where customers can buy a new medium or top up their account and get some other services related to the toll. Point of sales application (POS) at the toll plaza provides the functions required for the following functions of the sale:

Sales of the new media

Account supplement

Refund to the account

Return of media by the end user

Review of issued invoices

Review account related transactions

Media management - checking each medium, its status and the related account

Management of user accounts and users - review and search user accounts and users by various criteria

Review blacklists - review and search blacklisted accounts

Lane management and control application

Lane management and control application runs on one of the workstations at the toll plaza (Lane Status Display Unit - LSDU). This application is in permanent communication with all toll lanes and applications at the toll plaza, and provides an overview of the status of all system components in real time. In LSDU application Almost all the changes to toll lanes can be traced in the LSDU application, such as:

Statistics passage of vehicles through toll lanes

Information about the last transaction – Vehicle class selected by the cashier, vehicle class determined by the automatic vehicle classifier, methods of payment

operation and status of the toll lanes

Logged in cashier

Information on the status of the cashier shift

Alarms from toll lane devices

In addition to monitoring the situation on the lanes, LSDU applications in accordance with the configuration of the system allows you to control applications on the toll lanes:

Lane cashier log in confirmation

Lane cashier log out confirmation

Confirmation of payment methods on the lane

Opening automatic lanes

Closing automatic lanes

The application also allows viewing of the status of the servers in the plaza, such as memory status or condition of disks on toll servers.

Central level

Concessionaire’s center can be located at one of the toll plazas, the headquarters of the concessionaire or at another location that is permanently available to all toll stations through a computer network.

Tolling system at the head office consists of several modules that can be carried out in one or more virtual or physical servers:

Central Communication Server

Base of the central communication server is the IBM Websphere MQ. All messages from all toll plazas are sent to the IBM Websphere MQ, where they for download and processing by the process server. Messages that come to the central communication server refer to the incoming transactions, outgoing transactions, all related information created by the transaction, the user shifts and alarms.

Central processing server

Central processing server includes an application for processing messages received on the communication server. Processing of messages creates transactions, which are then stored in the central database. Account balances are calculated based on the transactions. If an account balance takes on a negative value, the user is placed on the blacklist. Information on the change of status of the account and black list is sent as a message back to all plazas.

- Toll Central Application

Toll Central Application is used for system configuration, monitoring of system components and production of standard and analytical reports by authorized personnel. The application was developed in Web technology and takes place on one of the servers at toll center. Users access the application via a specific or a standard Web browser. Available functions depend on the type and user rights of the logged in user. The system administrator, who has the most authorities, has the right to allocate authorities to other users and thus configure the menu for other types of users. The following functions are available in the toll central application:

Data version. Data version allows defining of tariffs or price lists in advance, with the exact moment from when the tariff is active.

Tariff configuration. Tariff be defined for each type of contracts in the context of the data version.

Vehicle classes configuration. Classes can be defined and configured in the central application. It is possible to define up to 12 classes of vehicles in the system.

Contracts type configuration. Authorized users can define a new type of contract. It is necessary to determine the tariff within the Data versions for the new type of contract.

Rules for the creation of incidents. It is necessary to define at least one rule for creation of an incident for each type of contract. The system will automatically know under what conditions will incidental transactions on exit toll lane be created. It is necessary to define the amount that will be billed to the cashier in case of incident for each rule. It is also possible to define incidents for the entry lanes.

Configure payment methods. It is possible to configure specific parameters for every payment method defined in the system, such as: automatically print receipts on the lane, the number of printed receipts at the lane, requirement for manual input by entering the license plate, printing plate numbers on the receipt, time after entry in which the toll is not charged, the period in which the user can return to the same lane and the similar.

Concessionaire and toll plazas. The names and general information about the concessionaire and toll plazas and their lanes are defined in the toll center application.

Types of devices. Device types and their operating parameters are configured in the toll center. For example, the product name, product description, etc.

Messages on the display. Messages that will be displayed in a particular time during the processing of the transaction can be defined in the toll center. Messages can further be changed in the toll lane system.

Design confirmation. The receipts printed on toll lanes or in other modules of the system can be designed in accordance with the needs of the concessionaire. Tollway offers a variety of predefined templates by authorized personnel of the concessionaire can change and adapt to their needs.

General parameters. The system allows modifications to a whole set of parameters that the concessionaire can adapt to work the system to their needs. For example, parameters relating to the module archiving data, the location of archive files, archiving periods and similar.

Toll lane configuration. Entry and exit toll lanes can be defined and configured in the central application. Apart from the lane, the system allows the definition of devices connected to the lanes as well as their parameters. For example, communication port or address to which the device is connected, the speed of communication devices and other parameters depending on the type of device.

Lane operation options. The conditions in which the toll lane can operate can be defined in the toll central. For example, the lane can be configured so that the cashier can’t operate in case if the automatic classifier is not available to the toll lane application. This way, fraud by turning off individual devices by the operating staff is prevented.

Asset declaration parameters. Parameters related to the declaration of assets by the cashier can be defined at the center. The amount received by the initial cash register, declaration by entering denomination or total amount and similar.

POS locations configuration. Parameters for configuration of POS locations are for example a series of benefits that end-users pay in obtaining certain services. For example, to replace the media, return the media, refund and the like. Also, the appearance of receipts issued at the sale can be defined when configuring the POS locations.

Types of alarm. For each type of alarm can be defined whether this is a serious alarm type "serious error" or just about information.

User management. The system allows defining the types of users, their rights at all levels and to create new users or deactivate existing. Also, it is possible to establish a hierarchical relationship between the types of users.

Product sales. Toll center application also allows the sale of products with all media management functionalities, user accounts and users as described on the toll plaza level.

Product storage. The system allows the functionality of ordering media from the supplier. After the media arrives at toll center, they need to be initialized and distributed to retail outlets. Optionally, the system allows the creation of pre-defined packages with medium to anonymous end users allowing for the sale of the media not only on POS locations, but also at other retail locations for example, petrol stations, kiosks and other shops.

Incident management. A special toll center application module for management of incidents. All incidents can be searched by various criteria such as the number of media, the number of transactions, toll plaza, toll lanes, cashier, contract type, class of vehicle, license plate number, status and others. With the opening of each line, an authorized user gets all the information needed to solve the incident: video clips or still images recorded on the lanes, review transactions, insight into the history of media, access to account balance and more. The incident is handled in accordance with the rules defined in the configuration modules for incident management.

Reports. The toll center system provides a set of predefined reports required in the daily work of users in the head office. In addition to the predefined reports system allows users to create their own reports and their integration in the app menu. The system provides the following predefined groups of reports:

Operational reports - standard reports required in daily work

Analytical reports - reports which analyze traffic and revenue system on lanes

Financial reports - reports that provide financial analysis system

Control reports - control transactions, incidents, and other tables in the system

System maintenance reports - reports on the work of equipment in the system

Generic reports - a tool for creating your own reports

Central Database

The central database of all data collected toll system. These are incoming transactions, outgoing transactions, alarms, information about the user shifts and applications in the system, information about the transactions created at the point of sale, invoicing customers and all other structured and unstructured data related to the toll transactions. The Tollway system uses Oracle server as a system for database management. At the user's request, with certain changes of individual software components, any other system can be used.

The data in the database collected from all stations are processed by the process server. In addition to the data itself, additional procedures which provided fast data processing have been developed in the database. These are mainly the procedures to handle large amounts of rows in database tables, and for which the Oracle development tools are the optimal solution. Data older than a certain date are archived periodically so that they are moved to the archive database files that can be transferred from the server disks to less expensive media designed to store archival data. Archive files can be reused in the system and data in archive files can be easily accessed through the central level application.

Web Portal for end users

System web portal for end users is a special application designed for end-users, through which users can gain insight into their transaction and do payments to their accounts. System web portal supports two groups of functionality:

The public part of the portal - features that give general information and instructions on using the portal as well as general guidance on the work of the toll collection system

Private part of the portal - on one hand, ensures operation of the authorized portal administrator, which allows portal management and its configuration and placement of marketing information on the portal. Private section of the portal provides the following functionality:

Changing the content of static pages and add new pages with new news and animations

Editing and adding links to pages

Adding and updating news and information

Add and edit instructions for users

Add and edit animated user guidance

Create, view, add and repeal questionnaire for visitors’ page

Review and update customer data for administrative purposes

Functionalities of the portal intended for end user who may be a private user or company with one or more authorized persons

Change password

Updating the user data

Update data for delivery reports

Updating users, cell phones and credit cards

Updating media users

Supplement your account via voucher, credit card or through offers

Media ordering

The portal is integrated with the toll collection system and all data recorded in the portal are visible in real time in the tolling system. Likewise, all data changed in the tolling system as well as the transactions created at toll lanes after they are forwarded to the central office in almost real time are visible on the user Web portal.